Rampant Edinburgh stake claim

Rugby Union: Edinburgh 57 Glasgow 13

BILL LEITH

reports from Murrayfield Edinburgh 57 Glasgow 13

Ally Donaldson, the Edinburgh captain, claimed 32 points in a runaway victory over Glasgow in the Scottish Inter-District Championship at Murrayfield yesterday, then insisted his side would do well if invited to take part in next season's European Cup.

All that is currently known about Scotland's Euro bid is that it will involve three teams. A debate over whether it should be club sides or districts is just beginning, and a special meeting of the Scottish Rugby Union could be required to settle the issue. Donaldson is in no doubt, saying: "Every one of Edinburgh's players wants to go down the district route. They would all be motivated to play and the people of Edinburgh would be motivated to watch. Having watched the semi-finals on television at the weekend, I'm satisfied Edinburgh would do all right."

Melrose, who are leading the rebel demands for clubs to be involved instead, had claimed there might be more at The Greenyards on Saturday to watch the team being presented with the League trophy than there would be to watch this match.

In fact, the SRU appeared so proud of the attendance that their vice- president, Freddie McLeod, made a special visit to the press box at half- time and said: "You might be interested to know there are 4,000 in; not 400."

Glasgow took an early lead with the first of two Calum MacGregor penalties, but Stuart Reid, part of an inspiring back row, scored the first of Edinburgh's seven tries and Nick Penny also crossed before half-time, which Edinburgh reached 21-6 ahead.

Edinburgh produced a novel move with Reid feeding a set piece that saw scrum-half Burns moved to the back row with instructions to kick straight upfield. It all added to the confusion of a Glasgow side who had a late consolation try through prop Stuart McGregor.

Donaldson (2), Penny again, Bruce Ward and Scott Hastings all crossed for tries, but despite the landslide there is no guarantee Edinburgh will be among district entries for Europe. The SRU say a decision will be based on results over "four or five years", but on current form it will be hard to keep Edinburgh out.

Edinburgh: Tries Penny (2), Donaldson (2), Reid, Ward, Hastings. Conversions Donaldson (5); Penalties Donaldson (4). Glasgow: Try S McGregor; Conversion C MacGregor; Penalties C MacGregor (2).

Glasgow: Breckenridge (Glasgow H/K); Mathewson (Glasgow Accies), A Garry (Watsonians), Jardine, Logan (both Stirling County); C MacGregor (Glasgow Accies), Little (Glasgow H/K); S McGregor (Glasgow Accies), Bulloch (West of Scotland), Doran (Glasgow Accies), Norval (Stirling County), Perrett (West), Wallace (Boroughmuir, capt), Mackay (Stirling County), Sinclair (Watsonians).

Edinburgh: Simmers (Edinburgh Accies); Henderson, Hastings (both Watsonians), Wyllie, Penny (both Stewart's Melville); Donaldson (Currie, capt), G Burns (Stewart's Melville); Wilson (Boroughmuir), McKelvie (Watsonians), Wright, D Burns (Boroughmuir), McVie (Edinburgh Accies), Ward (Currie), Reid (Boroughmuir), Hoole (Edinburgh Accies). Replacements: Lang (Heriot's FP) for Hoole, 42; Mather (Watsonians) for Ward, 79.

Referee: C Muir (Langholm).